A few years ago, Paul Gerner began to gather a group of architects in Las Vegas to ask them what it would take to design a public school that used 50 percent less energy, cost much less to build and obviously improved student learning. “I think half of them fell off their chairs,” Gerner says.
Gerner manages school facilities (设施) for Clark County, Nevada, a district roughly the size of Massachusetts. By 2018, 143,000 additional students will enter the already crowded public-education system. Gerner needs 73 new schools to house them. Four architecture teams have nearly finished designing primary school prototypes (样品); they plan to construct their schools starting in 2009. The district will then assess how well the schools perform, and three winners will copy those designs in 50 to 70 new buildings.
Green schools are appearing all over, but in Clark County, which stands out for its vastness, such aggressive targets are difficult because design requirements like more natural light for students go against the realities of a desert climate. “One of the biggest challenges is getting the right site orientation (朝向),” Mark McGinty, a director at SH Architecture, says. His firm recently completed a high school in Las Vegas. “You have the same building, same set of windows, but if its orientation is incorrect and it faces the sun, it will be really expensive to cool.”
Surprisingly, the man responsible for one of the most progressive green-design competitions has doubts about ideas of eco-friendly buildings. “I don’t believe in the new green religion,” Gerner says. “Some of the building technologies that you get are impractical. I’m interested in those that work.” But he wouldn’t mind if some green features inspire students. He says he hopes to set up green energy systems that allow them to learn about the process of harvesting wind and solar power. “You never know what’s going to start the interest of a child to study math and science,” he says.
1.How did the architects react to Gerner’s design requirements?
A. They lost balance in excitement. B. They showed strong disbelief.
C. They expressed little interest. D. They burst into cheers.
2.Which order of steps is followed in carrying out the project?
A. Assessment — Prototype — Design — Construction.
B. Assessment — Design — Prototype — Construction.
C. Design — Assessment — Prototype — Construction.
D. Design — Prototype — Assessment — Construction.
3.What makes it difficult to build green schools in Clark County?
A. The large size. B. Limited facilities.
C. The desert climate. D. Poor natural resources.
4.What does Gerner think of the ideas of green schools?
A. They are questionable. B. They are out of date.
C. They are advanced. D. They are practical.
高三英语阅读理解困难题
A few years ago, Paul Gerner began to gather a group of architects in Las Vegas to ask them what it would take to design a public school that used 50 percent less energy, cost much less to build and obviously improved student learning. “I think half of them fell off their chairs,” Gerner says.
Gerner manages school facilities (设施) for Clark County, Nevada, a district roughly the size of Massachusetts. By 2018, 143,000 additional students will enter the already crowded public-education system. Gerner needs 73 new schools to house them. Four architecture teams have nearly finished designing primary school prototypes (样品); they plan to construct their schools starting in 2009. The district will then assess how well the schools perform, and three winners will copy those designs in 50 to 70 new buildings.
Green schools are appearing all over, but in Clark County, which stands out for its vastness, such aggressive targets are difficult because design requirements like more natural light for students go against the realities of a desert climate. “One of the biggest challenges is getting the right site orientation (朝向),” Mark McGinty, a director at SH Architecture, says. His firm recently completed a high school in Las Vegas. “You have the same building, same set of windows, but if its orientation is incorrect and it faces the sun, it will be really expensive to cool.”
Surprisingly, the man responsible for one of the most progressive green-design competitions has doubts about ideas of eco-friendly buildings. “I don’t believe in the new green religion,” Gerner says. “Some of the building technologies that you get are impractical. I’m interested in those that work.” But he wouldn’t mind if some green features inspire students. He says he hopes to set up green energy systems that allow them to learn about the process of harvesting wind and solar power. “You never know what’s going to start the interest of a child to study math and science,” he says.
1.How did the architects react to Gerner’s design requirements?
A. They lost balance in excitement. B. They showed strong disbelief.
C. They expressed little interest. D. They burst into cheers.
2.Which order of steps is followed in carrying out the project?
A. Assessment — Prototype — Design — Construction.
B. Assessment — Design — Prototype — Construction.
C. Design — Assessment — Prototype — Construction.
D. Design — Prototype — Assessment — Construction.
3.What makes it difficult to build green schools in Clark County?
A. The large size. B. Limited facilities.
C. The desert climate. D. Poor natural resources.
4.What does Gerner think of the ideas of green schools?
A. They are questionable. B. They are out of date.
C. They are advanced. D. They are practical.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a meeting in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night’s dinner. In their rush, with tickets, one of these salesmen happened to kick over a table which held a display of baskets of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their boarding.
All but one stopped, took a deep breath and experienced a twinge(刺痛)of sorrow for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his friends to go on without him, waved goodbye, and told one of them to call his wife when they arrived and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to where the apple stand had been overturned. He was glad he did.
The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her face. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them into the baskets, and helped set the display up once more. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become damaged; then he set them aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take the $20 for the damage we did.” He continued, “I’m sorry for what we did and hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.”
She nodded with her tears. As the salesman started to walk away, the blind girl called out to him, “Mr. ...”. He stopped, and turned back. She continued, “Thank you very much”.
1.These salesmen were hurrying because they ________.
A.had to attend an important meeting |
B.wanted to have plenty of time at home |
C.almost missed reaching the airplane |
D.hoped to have Friday night’s party |
2.Which of the following is the correct order of what the salesman did?
a. He made an apology to the blind girl.
b. He told his friends to go on without him.
c. He experienced a twinge of sorrow.
d. He returned to the fallen apple stand.
e. He paid the girl $20 for the damage.
A.c-e-b-d-a | B.c-b-d-e-a |
C.d-b-c-a-e | D.d-c-b-e-a |
3.Which of the following can describe the salesman?
A.Popular and friendly. | B.Good and humorous. |
C.Honest and generous. | D.Kind and considerate. |
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.A Man’s Kind Action |
B.Picking up the Fallen Apples |
C.A Blind Girl’s Bad Luck |
D.A Blind Girl Who Sold Apples |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Years ago a professor gave a group of graduate students this assignment:Go to the slums(贫民窟).Take 200 boys between the ages of 12 and 16, investigate their _____and environment and then_____their chances for the future. The students,after ______ social statistics,talking to the boys and compiling(汇编)much data,______that 90 percent of the boys would spend some time in ______.
Twenty five years later another group of graduate students were given the job of _____the previous prediction. They went back to the _______area. Some of the boys—now______—were still there,a few had died and some has moved away. But they managed to ______180 of the original 200.They found that only four of the boys had ever been sent to prison.
Why was it that these men,who had lived in a breeding place of _____,had such surprisingly ______record?The researchers were _______told. “Well,there was a______.”
They investigated ______and found that in 78 percent of the ______it was the same woman. The researchers went to the teacher,now living in a home for______teacher .How had she had this remarkable_____on that group of children?Could she give them any reason why these boys______ her?“No,”she said,“I really couldn't.” And then,_____over the years,she said musingly(沉思地),more to herself than to her questioners,“I______these boys.” The researchers finally realized that it was the teacher's care that made a difference.
1.A. safety B. nationalities C. health D. backgrounds
2.A. advise B. increase C. predict D. check
3.A. consulting B. preparing C. offering D. showing
4.A. discussed B. concluded C. introduced D. expected
5.A. business B. school C. hospital D. prison
6.A. testing B. explaining C. finding D. making
7.A. special B. same C. only D. lonely
8.A. workers B. teenagers C. men D. students
9.A. record B. find C. know D. trace
10.A. disease B. magic C. disaster D. crime
11.A. reliable B. good C. detailed D. bad
12.A. normally B. gradually C. continually D. nearly
13.A. teacher B. doctor C. director D. friend
14.A. too B. instead C. already D. further
15.A. cases B. manners C. states D. ways
16.A. determined B. well-known C. retired D. skilled
17.A. technique B. influence C. courage D. advantage
18.A. remembered B. rewarded C. treated D. frightened
19.A. looking around B. going on C. working out D. thinking back
20.A. persuaded B. reminded C. loved D. taught
高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析
A few years ago, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington, DC. I saw many of our nation’s treasures, and I also saw a lot of our fellow citizens on the street — _________ ones, like beggars(乞丐)and homeless folks.
Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice saying: “Can you help me?” When I _________, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand _________. In a natural reaction, I _________ into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and placed it in her hand without even looking at her. I was _________ at being bothered by a beggar.
But the blind woman smiled and said: “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the _________.”
In an instant, I realized what I had done. I had acted with prejudice(偏见)— I’d _________ another person _________ for what I believed she had to be.
I hated what I saw in myself. This incident brought back my basic belief. It _________ me that I believed in being modest even though I’d lost that __________ for a moment.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am a (n) __________. I left Honduras and arrived in the U. S. at the age of 15. I started my new life with two suitcases, my brother and sister, and a strong mother. Through the __________, I have been a dish washer, roofer, mechanic, cashier and pizza delivery driver __________ many other humble hobs, and __________ I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have __________ many acts of prejudice. I remember a time, at the age of 17 — when I was a busboy, I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well on school, he would __________ like me. I have also seen the same treatment of family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have known __________.
But now, living my American middle class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lost sight of where I want to go. That blind woman cured me of my __________. She reminded me of my belief in being humble, and to always keep my eyes and heart open.
________, I helped that woman to the post office. And in writing this essay, I hope to thank her for the __________ lesson she gave me.
1.A. unfortunate B. charmless C. greedy D. good-for-nothing
2.A. turned over B. turned back C. turned about D. turned away
3.A. extended B. expanded C. spread D. lengthened
4.A. searched B. reached C. stuck D. went
5.A. amazed B. astonished C. amused D. annoyed
6.A. shopping center B. police station C. post office D. bus station
7.A. judged B. estimated C. treated D. believed
8.A. practically B. probably C. recommended D. simply
9.A. indicted B. reminded C. recommended D. warned
10.A. cause B. idea C. dream D. belief
11.A. American B. immigrant C. beggar D. engineer
12.A. years B. months C. moments D. days
13.A. above B. below C. among D. beyond
14.A. deliberately B. urgently C. immediately D. eventually
15.A. witnessed B. experienced C. learned D. heard
16.A. keep up B. stay up C. turn up D. end up
17.A. better B. worse C. more D. less
18.A. ignorance B. poverty C. blindness D. fear
19.A. In short B. By the way C. On a whole D. In an instant
20.A. valueless B. worthless C. priceless D. useless
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A few years ago, Adina Lichtman was handing out sandwiches on the streets of New York City to help people experiencing homelessness. One man, _______ for the sandwich, approached her and _________ some surprising insight(见识).
“It's great that you're _________ sandwiches,” he said, “but one thing we really _______ is socks, especially as winter approaches.”
“Here I was, sandwiches in _________, assuming I knew the best way to help people, when in reality, helping is about _________, and hearing the needs of different communities,” Lichtman said. “It was a powerful _________, and I wanted to put it into _________.”
She began that night, with a _________ step: going door-to-door on the floor of her __________ at New York University, asking ________ classmates if they could each just donate just one pair of their own socks to someone ________ home.
She got 40 pairs of socks in a single __________, from a single floor. The next morning she opened her door to find a huge __________ of socks that other people had donated.
“College students love to do __________, but sometimes they need a literal(实实在在的)knock on their __________ to do so. And almost everyone has a(n) __________ pair of socks they can donate,” Lichtman said.
That morning Lichtman ________ kicked off Knock Knock, Give a Sock, a new nonprofit organization that has now __________ over 350,000 pairs of socks for the homeless in cities and states across America. It is also now Lichtman's full-time job.
When it gets cold out, __________ about what you use to bundle up—scarves, hats, gloves—that includes socks and shoes, too.
1.A. searching B. wishing C. preparing D. reaching
2.A. offered B. shared C. claimed D. declared
3.A. taking out B. finding out C. picking out D. giving out
4.A. buy B. need C. donate D. supply
5.A. bag B. hand C. box D. mouth
6.A. serving B. asking C. assisting D. listening
7.A. lesson B. shock C. hit D. struggle
8.A. use B. practice C. action D. consideration
9.A. simple B. meaningful C. dangerous D. brave
10.A. campus B. building C. street D. dormitory
11.A. kind B. fellow C. rich D. friendly
12.A. with B. from C. at D. without
13.A. week B. day C. night D. year
14.A. pile B. pair C. car D. step
15.A. wrong B. harm C. good D. well
16.A. wall B. face C. door D. back
17.A. expensive B. extra C. cheap D. valuable
18.A. carefully B. rudely C. officially D. happily
19.A. made B. created C. bought D. provided
20.A. think B. tell C. figure D. care
高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to play the character of Ronald McDonald for the McDonald's Corporation.
One day each month,we visited hospitals bringing a little happiness to the children there. But there were two rules placed on me during a visit. First, I could not go anywhere in the hospital without permission. And second, I could not physically touch anyone within the hospital. They did not want me to carry germs(细菌)from one patient to another. Breaking either of these rules, I was told, I could lose my job. One day, as I was heading down a hallway and on my way home, I heard a little voice coming through a halfopened door,“Ronald,Ronald.”
I stepped in and saw a boy,about five years old, lying in his dad's arms, Mom with a nurse on the other side. I knew by the feeling in the room that the situation was grave. I asked his name. He told me it was Billy and that I did a few simple magic tricks for him. As I stepped back to say goodbye, he asked me “Ronald, would you hold me?”
At such a simple request, my heart was screaming, “Yes!”But my mind was screaming louder. “No!You are going to lose your job!”
“Hold me” was such a simple request, and yet I searched for any reasonable excuses that allowed me to leave, but none. It took me a moment to realize that in this situation, losing my job may not be the disaster I feared. Then, I picked up this little boy. He was so weak and so scared. We laughed and cried for 45 minutes. With tears in my eyes, I left them. Less than 48 hours later, I received a phone call from Billy's mom that Billy had passed away. She and her husband simply wanted to thank me for making a difference in their little boy's life.
Billy's mom told me shortly after I left the room. Billy looked at her and said, “Momma, I don't care any more if I see Santa this year because I was held by Ronald McDonald.”
For the record, McDonald's Corporation did find it out, but, given the situation,permitted me to go on with my job. I continued as Ronald for another year before leaving the corporation to share the story of Billy and how important it is to take risks.
1. The underlined word “grave” in Paragraph 3 means “________”.
A. weak B. serious C. interesting D. exciting
2.When Billy asked the author to hold him, at first the author ________.
A. was unwilling to do so B. was glad to do so
C. hesitated to do so D. hurried to do so
3.What lesson did the author draw from his experience?
A. To amuse others is enjoyable. B. To take risks is important.
C. To break rules is necessary. D. To be fired is not fearful.
4. We learn from the story that ________.
A.the author left the corporation because he broke the rules
B.the author left the corporation because he didn't like the rules
C.the boy was quite happy with the experience with the author
D.the boy was quite happy with Santa at Christmas
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When our ancestors were hunters and gatherers 10,000 years ago, they didn’t have time to wonder much about ________ but finding food.
A.everything B.anything
C.nothing D.something
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Recently, a coalition of business and advocacy groups from around Washington gathered to kick off a campaign to enact a carbon pricing program in the capital. Known as the Climate and Community Reinvestment Act of D.C., the plan would place a new tax on all fossil fuels bought or sold, with the hope of ultimately discouraging the use of these polluting energy sources.
The big-picture goal of this campaign is admirable: to address the ever-deepening crisis of humanity-driven climate chaos by dissuading the continued use of coal, oil and gas, the filthy substances rapidly warming our planet. But unfortunately, the approach — one based in a world of financial markets, trading schemes and enticing new public revenue streams — is deeply and inherently flawed. Simply put, carbon pricing is a false solution to climate change and a distraction from real, effective climate solutions we must urgently pursue.
To date, there is scant(不足的) evidence to indicate that carbon taxes lower greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the opposite is true. Recently Food & Water Watch reviewed the British Columbia carbon tax program, often cited by advocates as an example of success. From 2009 (the first full year of the tax) to 2014, emissions from taxed sources grew by 4.3 percent. And in the seven years after the carbon tax took effect, total gasoline sales increased by 7.37 percent.
Supporters of such plans like to focus on a deceivingly simple notion that increasing the price of a consumer good will automatically reduce its use. But this just isn’t the case when it comes to the purchase of necessities. People must heat their homes in winter, and they must commute to work, regardless of the cost.
Those backing the D.C. carbon pricing plan like to note that revenue from the new tax would go toward investment in clean energy sources. But only 20 percent of the generated funds would be allocated in this manner. The rest would be divvied(分摊) up in tax breaks for businesses and rebates(回扣) for consumers, another factor undercutting the notion that increased costs up front would change consumer behavior in the long run.
Meanwhile, fossil fuel giants such as ExxonMobil are increasingly coming out in support of carbon pricing. This should be cause for alarm for anyone concerned with stamping out the use of the dirty energy sources these corporations profit from. Exxon knows that carbon taxes will do little to change the business-as-usual dependence on oil and gas that it relies on to continue operating and enriching shareholders. Furthermore, corporations such as Exxon rightly view carbon pricing schemes as a means of diverting energy and interest from tougher regulations that might actually encroach on(侵犯) their business plans and bottom lines.
Despite what many well-intentioned activists and community leaders want to believe, there is no convenient, market-friendly solution to our dire climate condition. There is only the hard truth that we must tackle the problem at its source: We must stop using fossil fuels, and soon. The latest science indicates that in order to avoid the worst effects of deepening climate chaos, society must transition completely to clean, renewable energy by 2035.
1.Food &Water Watch found that _______ .
A.carbon taxes could limit greenhouse gas emissions
B.taxing carbon emissions did not reduce pollution
C.carbon emissions grew at a lower rate than gasoline sales
D.British Columbia carbon tax program achieved lasting effect
2.Which of the following is true, according to Paragraphs 4 and 5?
A.Consumers will use less of a good when its price increases.
B.Carbon taxes will benefit the development of clean energy.
C.Increased cost will do little to change the use of necessities.
D.The dependence on fossil fuels will decrease automatically.
3.Fossil fuel giants _________.
A.are expressing dissatisfaction with carbon pricing schemes
B.are reducing their dependence on dirty energy sources
C.view clean renewable energy as their future source of profits
D.see carbon pricing as distraction from tough rules against them
4.The most suitable title for this text would be __________.
A.The Carbon Tax Fallacy(谬论) B.The Climate Change Myth
C.The Call for Clean Energy D.The Causes of Climate Chaos
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Cost of Dishonesty
David began studying in Germany two years ago. The college was a little __ from where he lived, so he had to take the __ every day. This clever student soon found it was easy to __ buying subway tickets, so he often went and returned __ a ticket to save money. As a result, he had been caught with no ticket in the subway four times __ he never took them to __ . He thought what he should pay __ attention to was his study. He did work very hard in the last two years and graduated with __ academic achievements a month ago. Everyone, __ himself, thought he would get a good job easily in __ and had a bright future. He went to a big local company __ . But to his __, he was not even allowed his chance for a/an __ ! He then went to another famous company, only to receive the same __ . When he was __ a third time, he __ help telephoning the company to ask why they didn’t want him. The answer was simple, “We don’t offer jobs to __ people in Germany!”
We may get short-term __ by dishonest means, but the truth will come out __ and the cost is high. So remember, honesty is the best____.
1.A. near B. away C. far D. close
2.A. bus B. car C. vehicle D. subway
3.A. skip B. miss C. flee D. forget
4.A. for B. without C. by D. with
5.A. while B. although C. but D. because
6.A. heart B. mind C. soul D. spirit
7.A. much B. more C. less D. little
8.A. exciting B. depressing C. shocking D. amazing
9.A. regarding B. including C. considering D. concerning
10.A. America B. China C. Germany D. Britain
11.A. confidently B. fortunately C. nervously D. willingly
12.A. surprise B. excitement C. delight D. disappointment
13.A. interview B. exam C. conversation D. meeting
14.A. achievement B. treatment C. argument D. improvement
15.A. turned down B. turned over C. turned up D. turned off
16.A. wouldn’t B. shouldn’t C. couldn’t D. mustn't
17.A. immature B. dissatisfied C. dishonest D. unconfident
18.A. benefits B. impression C. profits D. harm
19.A. on time B. in time C. at times D. in no time
20.A. direction B. advice C. suggestion D. policy
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.
1.The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”
A.considering | B.questioning | C.accepting | D.settling |
2.The passage mentions the H1N1 flu to show the function of _______
A.persuasive speeches | B.informative speeches |
C.inspirational speeches | D.introductive speech |
3.The 7th paragraph mainly tells us that public speaking ______.
A.is important in world forums |
B.can help us make more friends |
C.matters more in one’s life |
D.is helpful in our daily life |
4.What would the writer probably talk about following the last paragraph?
A.How the speech came into being |
B.Why the public speaking is imporatant. |
C.How you can perfect your speech |
D.Why Obama often makes speeches |
5.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Tips of great speeches | B.The history of the speech |
C.Functions of the speech | D.The language of the speech |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析